‘Triumph’ is a representation of the solidarity of the men and women during the Dalfram Dispute of 1938 and the community that stood with them.

The monument, which is constructed of iron, is a visual representation of the destruction of power. The ‘V’ shape of the monument symbolises the success of the striking maritime workers, who refused to load a shipment of iron headed for Japan for use in the production of weapons to be used against the Chinese.

The two parts of the monument are connected by ladders, which represent the development of Australian-Chinese relations. The friendship knots were perforated on the body of the monument. ‘Triumph’ signifies the power of the community to bring about peace, and is a reminder of the strength of humanity and friendship in the face of danger.

The monument sits on a supporting base marked with Chinese symbols of the female and water, an acknowledgment of the critical role played by women during the Dispute.

The monument does not merely hold a story of the past. It seeks to provoke viewers to contemplate and reflect on similar contemporary issues. Confronting what happened in the past should not incite fear in people nor draw them apart – it should inspire harmony and encourage people to join together.

At its core, ‘Triumph’ is about ordinary men, women and children. The spirit of peace it embodies is not about any individual victory – it is about the strength of community and our collective humanity. And that’s the real meaning of ‘Triumph’.